Latest Derek Carr injury update after leaving game early vs. Giants

The New Orleans Saints got a win over the New York Giants on Sunday, improving to 5-8, but staying on theme with this season, they couldn’t escape the game without a major player suffering an injury. This time, the injury was to Derek Carr.

In the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win, Carr took off on a second down play and as he approached the first-down marker, he launched himself into the air, attempting to clear a teammate and a couple of defenders. Unfortunately, the veteran quarterback fell short of the sticks, and after landing on the ground, he laid there for a couple of minutes.

He eventually went to the locker room, and was ruled out of the game as the team evaluated him for a concussion and a hand injury. Following the win, interim head coach Darren Rizzi announced that Carr was receiving scans and X-Rays on his left hand, the hand he used to brace himself for the fall. Rizzi also said Carr might be in concussion protocol, but didn’t have many details on either injury.

Following Rizzi’s comments, it has since been reported by Nick Underhill that Carr left the stadium with his hand in a cast. Additionally, NFL insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Carr is feared to have a fracture in his left hand, which is his non-throwing hand.

Derek Carr being evaluated for hand injury and concussion

If Carr does have to miss time, it will be the second significant injury he had this season to sideline him. The veteran quarterback missed Weeks 6-8 with an oblique injury he sustained late in the Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Carr has developed a reputation as a tough quarterback that plays through injuries, but with four games left, and New Orleans at 5-8, the team could just decide to shut him down.

However, knowing how Carr and the franchise operates, if the veteran quarterback can suit up and play, they’ll take that opportunity— especially since the Saints still have an outside shot at making the playoffs.

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